Photo Index - K. O. Lee Co. - B602 | VintageMachinery.org

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
K. O. Lee Co.
Aberdeen, SD

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Grinder, Tool and Die
Machine Size:	Universal
Submitted By:	Cliff Sommers

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	B602
Date of Manufacturer:	Early Forties
Serial Number:
Last Updated	6/8/2014 8:38:17 AM

Comments:

Photo #1 shows this machine as received, before any refurbishment work. Photo #'s 2 and 3 show the front and back of the machine after restoration.

This dry type universal tool and cutter grinding machine was purchased on eBay from a seller who related no details of it's history or use. It is in amazingly good mechanical shape considering it's age and the fact that the abrasive grit these machines generate in significant quantity tends to be very hard on the machines themselves, particularly the precision machined surfaces that control accurate movement of the work table in relation to the grinding head. A machinist friend says he won't use any grinding equipment in his main shop area; they're in a separate area to keep the grit from fouling other equipment.

The head rotates 360 degrees and locks at any rotational angle on a column that raises and lowers 1/40 inch per handwheel revolution. The work table moves in and out, sideways back and forth, all via handwheel actuated rack and pinion geared mechanisms. It also also rotates. Coupled with innumeral work holding and positioning devices included in the sale, it is possible to precisely grind just about surface of any small to medium size object.

The Art Deco styling evident on the handwheels suggests a design carried over from pre-war days due to pressing war production needs and lack of workforce to design and develop new consumer goods during WWII. Machines like this grinder, however, continued to be manufactured during the war years when most domestic production ceased using dated designs since they were needed to support war production efforts.

Blueprint drawings detailing suggested maintenance, date stamped February 13, 1945, and included with the machine show a highly similar machine, identical to this one in every detail - other than the handwheels. An undated sales brochure also included indicates the company marketed this line of grinders as the "Knock-Out" series, the name again probably related to the war effort.

Photo 1:

Comments: Fresh off the truck
Source: my camera

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Photo 2:

Comments: front after restoration
Source: my camera

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Photo 3:

Comments: back after restoration
Source: my camera

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